King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 24:16 Mean?

2 Samuel 24:16 in the King James Version says “And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to t...” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.”

2 Samuel 24:16 · KJV

Context

14

And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man. are great: or, are many

15

So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men.

16

And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.

17

And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father's house.

18

And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite. Araunah: Heb. Araniah

Read 2 Samuel 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Census and Plague, emphasizing pride, judgment, provision. David's census represents prideful self-reliance rather than dependence on God. The plague's devastation demonstrates sin's consequences extending beyond the sinner. David's purchase of Araunah's threshing floor and sacrifice there establishes the future temple location. Theological themes include the danger of pride, corporate consequences of leaders' sins, the necessity of proper sacrifice, God's mercy in limiting judgment, and divine purpose even in disciplinary actions.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 24 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding pride, judgment, provision provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of pride, judgment, provision?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וַיִּשְׁלַח֩1 of 24

“stretched out”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

יָדֶ֑ךָ2 of 24

“his hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וּמַלְאַ֤ךְ3 of 24

“And the angel”

H4397

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

יְֽרוּשָׁלִַם֮4 of 24

“upon Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

הַמַּשְׁחִ֤ית5 of 24

“that destroyed”

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

וַיִּנָּ֤חֶם6 of 24

“repented”

H5162

properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo

יְהוָה֙7 of 24

“it the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶל8 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָ֣רָעָ֔ה9 of 24

“him of the evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

וַ֠יֹּאמֶר10 of 24

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

וּמַלְאַ֤ךְ11 of 24

“And the angel”

H4397

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

הַמַּשְׁחִ֤ית12 of 24

“that destroyed”

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

בָּעָם֙13 of 24

“the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

רַ֔ב14 of 24

“It is enough”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

עַתָּ֖ה15 of 24
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

הֶ֣רֶף16 of 24

“stay”

H7503

to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)

יָדֶ֑ךָ17 of 24

“his hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וּמַלְאַ֤ךְ18 of 24

“And the angel”

H4397

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

יְהוָה֙19 of 24

“it the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

הָיָ֔ה20 of 24
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

עִם21 of 24
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

גֹּ֖רֶן22 of 24

“was by the threshingplace”

H1637

a threshing-floor (as made even); by analogy, any open area

הָֽאֲוַ֥רְנָה23 of 24

“of Araunah”

H728

aravnah (or arnijah or ornah), a jebusite

הַיְבֻסִֽי׃24 of 24

“the Jebusite”

H2983

a jebusite or inhabitant of jebus

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 24:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 24:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 12:23Joel 2:13-142 Chronicles 3:1Genesis 6:62 Kings 19:35Acts 12:23

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in 2 Samuel 24 →

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